Human ambition. Microsoft intelligence.
+1 415 825 2240SearchCustomer support

Education

A connected campus. A better student experience.

How Leading Educational Institution used Customer Service + Customer Insights + Finance and Operations + Security to move its business forward.

Open learning forms and campus pavilions connect through illuminated pathways.
Leading Educational Institution customer story image
Customer imagery from Defacto’s published story.
40%

Administrative workload reduction

35%

Increase in enrollment

01 / Customer experience

Situation

A leading educational institution dedicated to providing high-quality education and fostering student success was facing challenges in modernizing its administrative and student engagement processes. The institution aimed to enhance the overall student experience, streamline operations, and improve data management to support its growing student population. With multiple campuses and a diverse student body, the institution needed a robust solution to address its evolving needs.

02 / Customer experience

The challenge

The institution grappled with outdated legacy applications that impeded operational fluidity. These systems were not only slow but also lacked the flexibility to adapt to new requirements. The need to transition to a more agile and responsive infrastructure became imperative to support their growing demands and to stay competitive in the education sector.

Managing operations across multiple campuses presented a significant challenge. Each campus operated somewhat independently, leading to inconsistencies in service delivery and communication. Ensuring consistent service delivery and communication across geographically dispersed locations required a cohesive and integrated approach.

The institution faced difficulties in managing vast amounts of data, from student records to administrative information. The data was often siloed, making it hard to access and analyze. Efficiently handling this data and extracting meaningful insights was crucial for informed decision-making and strategic planning.

03 / Customer experience

The solution

To address these challenges, the institution implemented a comprehensive Dynamics 365 solution leveraging Finance & Operations, Customer Service, Sales, and Customer Insights to modernize operations, improve student engagement, and centralize data management.

  • Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations — Unified Administration — Consolidated all administrative processes into a single, cohesive platform, replacing outdated legacy systems. This integration streamlined operations, reduced redundancies, and improved overall efficiency, allowing staff to focus on strategic initiatives.
  • Dynamics 365 Customer Service — Enhanced Student Support — Provided advanced communication tools to offer personalized and timely interactions with students. This ensured consistent service delivery across campuses and improved the overall student experience with efficient tracking and issue resolution.
  • Dynamics 365 Sales & Customer Insights — Student Engagement — Automated routine administrative tasks and provided integrated CRM capabilities to better understand and nurture student relationships. This enabled targeted engagement strategies and improved student recruitment and retention.

04 / Customer experience

Key outcomes

  • Operational Efficiency - streamlined processes and reduced administrative workload through process integration and automation, freeing staff to focus on strategic initiatives.
  • Improved Student Experience - enhanced communication and personalized interactions led to higher student satisfaction and engagement across all campuses.
  • Data-Driven Decisions - access to real-time data and analytics enabled better planning, resource allocation, and informed strategic decision-making.
  • Scalability and Future Readiness - the flexible Dynamics 365 platform supports the institution’s growth and evolving needs without significant disruptions.

05 / Customer experience

Overall business impact

The Dynamics 365 transformation delivered measurable business growth, enhancing operational efficiency, student engagement, and data management. The institution is now well-positioned to expand its reach, strengthen its competitive position in education, and maintain focus on its core mission of student success and academic excellence.

Read the original customer story ↗

Customer imagery, figures and outcomes from Defacto’s published customer story. Results relate to this engagement.

Planning a similar change?

Trace a complete financial process.

For your organisation, begin with the journey from an operational transaction to its financial result. Review legal entities, approvals, reporting and the systems involved. A representative process gives finance and operational teams a concrete way to evaluate the proposed design and the responsibilities that continue after launch.

  • Which reconciliations still depend on manual work?
  • What history and opening information must move into the new system?
  • Who will validate balances, controls and management reporting?
Explore connected finance

Your next chapter starts here

What’s your next?

A challenge to solve. An idea to explore. Let’s talk.